JFX200 2513EX experience

[cthammond]

I have a question for printers using the JFX200 2513 EX. We currently own a JFX200 2513 and are thinking of upgrading to the 2513EX. If you have made the transition or even just purchased the EX model can you let me know how it has worked out. I am especially interested in the 2.5D printing if you have had any projects that have used this feature. Any insights for actual production and/or complications that have come up would be helpful. Please just opinions and information from actual production users.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

It's the same printer, just with double heads for color. 2.5D printing is cool, but it takes a hot minute. Functionally, the printers are identical and share a ton of parts, subtanks are different as well as a few minor things. Also shares a ton in common with the UCJV300 series. It's a small upgrade, but new features are kind of nice, and a bit more speed.

 

[cthammond]

Thanks for the help. Looking at some jobs that would require the texture and whether it is worth the upgrade for the speed. If you print for the 2.5D, how do you mark up the prices?

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I'm a technician and I run a failing print shop on a good day. I can tell ya the technical stuff, but I am definitely not the person for business advice. 2.5D printing takes a lot of time since it has to barf out a ton of ink to build up the texture. Also, AVOID USING PRIMER, since double clear is a far better choice for speed. Also, primer is awful.

 

[chaotic-graphics]

I'm a technician and I run a failing print shop on a good day. I can tell ya the technical stuff, but I am definitely not the person for business advice. 2.5D printing takes a lot of time since it has to barf out a ton of ink to build up the texture. Also, AVOID USING PRIMER, since double clear is a far better choice for speed. Also, primer is awful.

Why is primer awful?

Is this your opinion just for doing the layered prints?

We opted for the primer when we purchased our EX model but I've not used it like we anticipated. It's become an option customers can choose if they feel they need to be extra sure the print will last for specific conditions or time frames. A clear coat or lamination has been the go-to so far over primer. We have two products we use primer on after test indicated the adhesion was better.

Just general asking...

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Primer is bad about causing build-up on the heads, destroys capping stations and reacts with ink. There is definitely a use case for it, but in actuality it's rarely needed. With primer, you need to use LF200 cleaner on the head, not just regular maintenance fluids 15 & 16. Primer can definitely increase adhesion, as can surface treatments like plasma/flame treating or using adhesion promoters. Primer is just a relatively low strength adhesion promoter made to be jettable through a printhead for the most part.

Also, while UV inks in general have gotten a lot less nasty and noxious, quite a lot of people can have really bad reactions to skin contact or even just the fumes. When I work with it, there's going to be a half trashcan full of paper towels as I do all I can to keep that nasty stuff off of me.

 

[chaotic-graphics]

Sounds like we won't be using it much. Might try to coax the bosses to switch the primer for a different ink in that slot.

And yes, the skin irritation is no joke.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I find CMYK double white, double clear to be best if doing a lot of glossy and white base stuff to be quite a versatile ink set. Also faster if doing textured/2.5D prints.